Early Crane Evolution
Over 4000 years ago, early Egyptians made the first recorded type of a crane. The original device was referred to as a shaduf and was initially utilized to transport water. The crane was made out of a long pivoting beam which balanced on a vertical support. On one end a bucket was attached and on the other end of the beam, a heavy weight was attached.
Cranes which were built in the first century were powered by animals or by humans that were moving on a treadmill or a wheel. The crane consisted of a long wooden beam which was referred to as a boom. The boom was attached to a base that rotates. The treadmill or the wheel was a power-driven operation which had a drum with a rope which wrapped around it. This rope also had a hook that was connected to a pulley at the top of the boom and carried the weight.
Cranes were used extensively during the Middle Ages to build the enormous cathedrals in Europe. These devices were also used to unload and load ships in major ports. Eventually, major crane design advancements evolved. For example, a horizontal boom was added to and became known as the jib. This boom addition enabled cranes to have the ability to pivot, therefore really increasing the equipment's range of motion. Following the 16th century, each side of a rotating housing which held the boom incorporated two treadmills.
Even until the mid-19th century, cranes continued to rely on animals and humans for power. Once steam engines were developed, this all quickly changed. At the turn of the century, IC or internal combustion engines and electric motors emerged. Moreover, cranes became designed out of steel and cast iron rather than wood. The new designs proved longer lasting and more efficient. They can obviously run longer also with their new power sources and therefore carry out bigger jobs in less time.